July 8, 2015

Overlay joins The Architectural League of New York’s series of publications showcasing the winners of their annual Architectural League Prize. Established in 1981, the Architectural League Prize is an annual competition, series of lectures, exhibition, and publication identifying the best emerging talent in architecture and design.

The theme for this year, Overlay, asked entrants to consider how interactive, incremental processes inform and direct their work. Through this theme, the idea was to present how the techniques developed are activated over time with layered meaning to push architectural concepts. Entries showcased a range of approaches including written, researched, and graphically rich interpretations to projects depicting the literal mapping of effects upon a surface.

Play shapes are flipped and combined to produce a variety of play scenariosImage Credit: Photograph by Matthew Messner

Installation view

Image Credit: Photo courtesy of Noah Rabinowitz

Store interior

Image Credit: Photo courtesy of Todd Weaver

About the Architectural League of New York: The Architectural League of New York nurtures excellence in architecture, design, and urbanism, and stimulates thinking and debate about the critical design and building issues of our time.

June 1, 2015

Perforated metal can be used in a vast range of applications, from agriculture to street furniture. But many architects have found success using perforated metals as a finishing feature for buildings. A perforated façade is a way to add a distinctive character to the building’s overall aesthetic, because it allows you to play around with light and shadow in an innovative way. These sheets of perforated metal can be built into a new building’s design, or used as part of a refurbishment process for older buildings. So what is the final effect and are there any advantages to this building material? Advantages of perforated metals
There are a number of strictly aesthetic reasons why designers might choose to work with perforated sheet metal as a building material. One of the primary reasons is the ability to control and interact with light, both natural and artificial. This opens up new doors of creativity and allows architects to create dynamic shapes, geometric designs, and evening lighting special effects. Media or video clips can be broadcast or moving shapes can be created depending on the way the perforated façade is set up. If you’re creating a site-specific building to host special events, this can be a distinct advantage.

Practical advantages
In addition to the aesthetic advantages offered by perforated facades, metal sheeting like this is also often a more cost-effective way to instantly upgrade an older building. You can visit the website www.actisfurio.com to get a feel for the different metal materials that can be used to create facades, including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass. This provides a versatile and practical array of options. The perforated sheets can also be designed with a number of hole patterns to achieve the desired effect, whether you prefer round, square, or custom shaped patterns. Perforated panels are remarkably lightweight in comparison to solid sheets of metal, which puts less stress on the building’s existing structure. At the same time, it can help you control sunlight depending on its positioning, offering a shading solution. This can be used as part of an eco-friendly building plan.

The Bottom Line
Control temperature and sunlight, create dazzling optical patterns, and give an older building an instant makeover with the help of perforated metal facades. These simple, unique, customizable, and cost-effective building tools are a secret weapon in any architect’s toolbox.

May 19, 2015

Unbuilt buildings represent the forgotten dreams of architects; projects that could have defined a community’s identity. At best the drawings and blueprints will now be displayed in museums, though that’s small consolation to the architects who stayed up late at night scribbling, while envisaging a skyline that would proudly display their signature style.

At Rubberbond we’ve seen a few ambitious projects cancelled, it’s an unfortunate aspect of the trade. A few daydreams have led to discussions about what some of our grandest cities could have looked like. I doubt too many Londoners are regretting the decision not to build a pyramid mausoleum for 5 million corpses, but only the most prudish of New Yorkers wouldn’t want to see a globe tower containing 4 circuses. So with the help of our architectural colleagues, we decided to research the most interesting unbuilt buildings, and display unbuilt work from Gaudi, Wright, Foster, and many more.

April 15, 2015

The tiny house craze is here, and I don’t see it going anywhere for a long time, especially thanks to a new generation of homeowners who’d much rather live simply than accumulate a massive amount of debt — along with all the stuff that goes inside a home. Because of the growing popularity of this housing trend, we’re seeing a lot of seriously creative and smartly designed tiny houses being built.

With 100 square feet to get the job done, this tiny studio has all the necessary amenities while still pulling off an aesthetically pleasing environment with environmentally-friendly construction materials.

Concerns for residents of these student studios may lean away from ramen noodles for every meal and towards storage space for school supplies and other necessities. With clean lines enhancing a spacious feel, utilization of every nook and cranny to maximize storage space of some kind, and a pulley system for a laundry basket, they can't blame their living quarters for any low grades.

...should earn you points for innovation and style - not to mention an out-of-the-box, creative mind. This bill-board inspired free-standing home combines elements of metal, concrete, and wood to create a modern, sleek, and slim home suitable for the single person.

Although the homeowner wants a significantly smaller living space, it doesn't mean it has to be without comfort and luxury. This tiny home includes hardwood flooring, wood-stove, full-staircase to bedroom loft, storage space, full kitchen, and half-bath. This is a tough one to beat.

This amazing 226 square foot recreational island house literally opens its walls to become an open pavilion. Uniquely designed, the living room naturally embraces the outside making it instantly more spacious and luxurious.

These tiny island homes house a half bath, small shower room, small kitchen, and storage space built into a compartmented service wall on one side so as not to obstruct the view. Architects designed a raised-level dining space, while the living room doubles as the sleeping area. Although it's a small space, going all-out with state-of-the-art designing ensures that you either go big or go home.

April 8, 2015

Please register early as more information will be given after registration is complete. We have a folder with background information, cad drawings and photos of the site that will be emailed to you upon registration.

ABSTRACT:

Density in the urban environment drives a need for the community to consider often overlooked spaces created by infrastructure as infill potential. Modern vehicle conveyance structures create a natural shelter from the elements and a typically “undesirable” area. We pass through or feel threatened by their cold and brutal existence. Consider how to re-stitch this urban fabric to create activated space from this underused resource.

This competition calls for ideas to successfully inhabit the unused land under the I-405 bridge, connecting the bustling Pearl District with the NW Alphabet neighborhood. We are looking for extraordinary, creative proposals that will spark the imagination, open up a dialogue and offer innovative solutions to this urban problem. The precise program for the competition is open to the entrants, although a mix of transitional housing, short term shelters, homeless services, public space, and other related programming is recommended. The program should respond to the neighboring context, needs of the city, and needs of the homeless population.

SITE:

The site sits under I-405 between NW Lovejoy St. and NW Kearney St. and connects the Pearl District with the Alphabet neighborhood. Streetcar transit travels along the north side of the site on Lovejoy while the east and west edges are active bike routes.

Project Site: 200’-0” x 200’-0”

Image Courtesy of Google Maps 2015

ENTRY FEE:

$50 for professionals

$25 for students

PRIZES:

1st Place $500

2nd Place $200

3rd Place$100

Winners and any Honorable Mentions will be displayed on the AIA Portland Website and Center For Architecture Gallery.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Competition Registration Starts: April 3rd

Additional information will be given as part of the registration process. Please register early to receive the supporting documents and info.

Submissions Due: June 1st – 5:00 PM PST

Jury Deliberations: June 5th

Winner Announcement and Celebration: June 9th at 5:30pm at the Center for Architecture